Taking care of a home is a lot of work. Home maintenance and improvement responsibilities go beyond the basics of cleaning and organising. It requires you to do a periodic check and update of various appliances, systems, and structural areas of the home. Though you may be able to get away with neglecting these things once or twice, forgetting to take care of them (or failing to budget accordingly), could cost you to spend more money. Below is a list of home maintenance and improvement tasks you need to properly plan for.
Cleaning the Gutters
At the start of each new season (fall and winter especially), you need to make sure that you’ve thoroughly inspected your roof and cleaned out the gutter system. A clogged gutter makes it difficult for rainwaters to wash away from your house. This can lead to a host of problems including flooding, leaks, mold, and insect infestations. If you’re comfortable getting on a ladder, you can complete this task yourself without it costing you a cent. However, if you’re a bit afraid, you can hire roofers to clean the gutters out for you. Depending on the size of your home, this could cost you several hundred dollars.
HVAC Maintenance
Those who are fortunate enough to have central heat and air need to pay close attention to their HVAC system. A properly working system keeps temperatures regulated, saves you money, and ensures everyone is comfortable. However, when it hasn’t been well-maintained it can result in higher energy costs, dust and debris entering the home and the need for costly repairs and replacements. You can complete basic tasks on your own like changing air filters, however, you’ll need an HVAC contractor. They have annual service contracts for residents. These contracts entitle you to routine maintenance on the HVAC system for a low cost.
Pest Control
Whether you deal with the occasional ant or mosquito or your home is prone to suffering from large infestations from mice, roaches, bedbugs, and silverfish, you need to take precautions. Pests are known for carrying disease which can make you and your loved ones sick. It is recommended that at least once or twice a year that you budget to have a local pest control service provider come to your home. Companies like Moxie, an exterminator Denver residents can access easily, will use environmentally safe sprays and techniques to rid your home of these pests.
Plumbing
Most homeowners don’t think to worry about their plumbing until they find it clogged up or they’ve sprung a leak. To avoid all of the above, it is recommended that you check your plumbing each season. Inspect pipes for cracks and damage, check drains to ensure there’s nothing clogging them, and clean your system. A plumber is an expert you’d call on for this as they have the necessary tools to do a thorough inspection. They can also check your sump pump to make sure that it isn’t on the verge of backing up.
Chimney
Fireplaces are convenient for households when the weather gets cold. As convenient as they can be, however, there are dangerous gases and chemicals that travel from your fireplace to your chimney. As many of these gases can be odorless and colorless, you want to ensure that they are properly leaving the home so that you and your family can continue to breathe fresh air. Every year, you should budget to have a chimney sweep come and inspect your chimney and fireplace. They can complete routine tasks like repairing any damage and cleaning any residue left behind from the burning wood.
Deck
Do you have a deck or patio in your backyard? If so, you’ll need to tend to it once the winter passes. Since you haven’t been using it and it has been exposed to the harsh temperatures and elements of the winter, you’ll need to inspect it for damage and give it a bit of a makeover. You can rent a power washer and wash down the deck. Once it has dried, you can invest in a can of wood stain and restain the deck for a fresh new look fit for warmer seasons.
Pool
Do you have a pool in your yard? In late spring or early summer, you’ll need to have it serviced. This includes cleaning out any debris, treating the water, and repairing any damage caused to the pool during the winter. If you’re comfortable, you can do most of these things yourself, however, repairing damaged parts of the pool should probably be left to the pros.
So how many of these home maintenance and improvement projects did you have included in your family budget? Just because these things aren’t necessary on a weekly or monthly basis, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t properly prepare for them. By placing them in the budget and creating a home maintenance calendar, you can ensure that your home is well taken care of without hurting your finances.